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It is well known that scoliosis adversely affects the functions of the upper extremities. However, the acute effect of rigid braces, which are widely used in the conservative treatment of scoliosis, on upper-extremity functionality remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of a rigid thoracolumbosacral brace use on upper-extremity functionality in individuals with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Thirty-eight individuals diagnosed with AIS participated in this cross-sectional study, with a mean age of 14.55 ± 1.90 years and a range of 10–18 years. The upper-extremity functionality was assessed using the Nine-Hole Peg Test and handgrip strength, with assessments conducted under both in-brace (with their own braces) and out-of-brace conditions. Nine-Hole Peg Test durations of the AIS patients for the nondominant side were significantly lower for in-brace conditions compared with out-of-brace conditions (p =.049, effect size = 0.136). The grip strength of the nondominant side was significantly higher for in-brace conditions compared with out-of-brace conditions (p =.025, effect size = 0.365). A weak negative correlation was found between the degree of curvature and the grip strength of the dominant side for in-brace conditions (r = −.323, p =.048). It was concluded that the brace had a positive effect on upper-extremity functionality on the nondominant side by both shortening the Nine-Hole Peg Test duration and increasing grip strength. In AIS patients, the brace may positively affect daily living by improving the functionality of the nondominant extremity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to investigate the diagnostic values of serum levels of asprosin and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and to assess the role of these biomarkers on the development and progression of the condition.

Objective: We aimed to investigate differences between HPV‐16 mono‐ and HPV‐16/18 co‐infections in terms of cervical dysplasia and invasive cancer. Methods: This multicentre, retrospective study spanned from December 2017 to December 2020, involving women who visited gynaecological oncology clinics for colposcopy with either HPV‐16 or HPV‐16/18 positivity. A total of 736 patients, 670 in Group 1 (HPV‐16 positivity) and 66 in Group 2 (HPV‐16/18 positivity), were compared for the presence of CIN2+ lesions detected by colposcopic biopsy or endocervical curettage (ECC). Exclusions included hysterectomized patients, those with prior gynaecological cancers, and patients with HPV positivity other than types 16 and 18. Results: Among the included patients, 42.4% had a diagnosis of CIN2+ lesions. The cytology results demonstrated abnormal findings in 45.3% in Group 1 and 42.2% in Group 2, with no significant difference between the groups. ECC revealed CIN2+ lesion in 49 (8.7%) patients in group 1, while only 1 (1.7%) patient had CIN2+ lesion in group 2. There was no difference between 2 groups in terms of ECC result (p = 0.052). In group 1, 289 (43.1%) patients had CIN2+ lesion, while 23 (34.8%) patients had CIN2+ lesions in group 2. There was no difference between group 1 and 2 in terms of diagnosis of CIN2+ lesions (p = 0.19). Conclusion: This multicentre retrospective study found no significant differences between HPV‐16 mono‐ and HPV‐16/18 co‐infections regarding cervical pathologies. Larger studies are needed to validate and further explore these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma‐ray, fast neutron and charged particle shielding characteristics of Praseodymium (Pr3+) activated glasses with composition 10ZnF2‐(10‐x)SrO‐15Li2O‐65H3BO3‐xPr2O3(where x = 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0) are investigated. For this, the radiation shielding parameters are estimated by using Photon Shielding and Dosimetry (Phy‐X/PSD), Interaction of Proton, Alpha, Gamma rays, Electrons, and X‐rays with matter (PAGEX), Stopping Powers and Ranges for Electrons (ESTAR), and The Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) codes. Furthermore, the results are compared comprehensively and comparatively. The glasses with increasing Pr3+ content exhibited higher shielding potential. It can be said that the ZFLHBPr2.0 sample could be used as a shielding material in various applied fields. Additionally, the effect of Pr composition on structural transitions and time‐dependent volume‐collapse of this new family of borate glass doped with Pr is analyzed by molecular dynamics study (MD) based density functional tight binding method. The simulation results show that the addition of Pr led to the cubic‐orthorhombic transformation of simulation cell at determined temperature and 1 atm pressure. Also, a sudden decrease in volume are observed within a short time at 8% Pr composition (x = 2.0) atmospheric pressure. This result provides a strong connection between Pr composition and volume change with time and at constant low pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is a pioneering study that experimentally and theoretically measures the effect of heterogeneous catalyst structure on hydrogen production. In this research, the catalytic activity of the (CQD/GO@Co) catalyst, which was formed by doping Co onto the synthesized graphene oxide (GO) on carbon quantum dots (CQD) obtained from caffeine by green synthesis, was investigated. The catalyst CQD/GO@Co was synthesized with high dispersibility and activity, and it was successfully employed in the hydrolysis of NaBH 4 for the first time. The effective catalytic compatibility of caffeine and cobalt element increased approximately 3 times on the GO layer. In order to determine the most effective catalyst conditions in the study, NaOH concentration, catalyst amount, NaBH 4 amount and temperature were tested under different reactant conditions. The catalyst was characterized using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses. Field emission scanning electron micrographs (FESEM) were taken by Field emission scanning electron microscope (Zeiss, Sigma). Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra were obtained from Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope. According to spherical aberration transmission electron microscopy studies, the uniform dispersion of Co nanoparticles (average diameter: ±3,1 nm) on CQDs, as well as the very small size and good dispersion of Cobalt (Co), are conducive to improved catalytic performance. This situation was determined by molecular modeling with the Non-scc GFN1xTB model and results supporting the experimental data were obtained. The maximum hydrogen production rate with sodium borohydride hydrolysis using cobalt-based catalyst increased approximately 32 times (from metallic crystal form of Co catalyst 2860 mL/min.(g.cat) to the present form 49,044 mL/min.(g.cat). The activation energy, activation enthalpy, and activation entropy of the Co@CQDs catalyst were founded to be 20.65 kJ mol−1, 2.64 kJ mol−1, and -108,97 J mol−1, respectively. • The study highlights the importance of the orientation of caffeine with the cobalt metal ion as a catalysis. • As the amount of sodium element with large van der Waals radius increases, positive blocks forms in solution. • Hydrolysis increases the interactions with high electrical dipole moments that occur with high vibration frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between the Cerebroplacental Doppler Ratio (CPR) and fetal distress and low birth weight (LBW). The study evaluates the effectiveness of CPR in predicting fetal distress and its significance in clinical practice. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 93 pregnant women at risk of fetal distress during labor between November 2015 and May 2016. The demographic and obstetric characteristics of the participants, CPR values, and other Doppler parameters (MCA S/D ratio, UA S/D ratio, PI, and RI) were assessed. The relationship between the CPR values in the <5th percentile, 5th-50th percentile, and >50th percentile with the development of fetal distress and LBW was analyzed. Results: In our study, CPR values in the <5th percentile were significantly associated with both acute fetal distress (AFD) and LBW. Additionally, the MCA S/D ratio was identified as an important parameter in predicting AFD. UA Doppler parameters, particularly the UA S/D ratio and PI values, showed a significant relationship with the development of LBW. It was observed that CPR values in the >50th percentile reduced the risk of both AFD and LBW. Conclusion: The Cerebroplacental Doppler Ratio (CPR) emerges as an important parameter in predicting adverse perinatal outcomes such as fetal distress and LBW. However, it was concluded that CPR alone might not be sufficient and should be evaluated in conjunction with other Doppler parameters. Combined approaches are recommended in future studies to optimize the clinical use of CPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the presented study, Fe-Cr-Ni ternary alloy system, which is classified as medium entropy alloys, was modelled using molecular dynamics (MD) simulation method. Model system was built at specific concentration ratios in accordance with the crystal lattice structures in the phase diagrams. The potential energy function based on the Grujicic-Zhou (GZ) type embedded atom method (EAM) was chosen as the potential function suitable for the system. The phase transformation mechanisms of the model system were investigated by applying heating-cooling processes on the most stable structures. In these processes, thermodynamic parameters such as temperature, volume, potential energy and density were calculated. In addition, the phase transformation mechanism and structural properties were analysed using radial distribution functions (RDF). Three-dimensional pictures of MD cells and the number of crystal structures were obtained using the visualization and analysis software via the atomic positions obtained during the transformations. In all these processes, the results obtained by the MD calculation method were interpreted and compared with the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]